Holiday resort Center Parcs has approached Wiltshire Council for permission to alter the materials planned for a new apartment block at its Wiltshire site over safety concerns.

In 2017, the company received approval to build a 32-bed apartment block spanning three storeys at its Longleat Forest Holiday Village.

The company has now returned to Wiltshire Council seeking permission to modify some of the materials.

It proposes to replace timber balcony railings on the first and second floors with aluminium ones.

The company said this was due to the British Standard no longer allowing timber railings where balconies are 'stacked'.

It also plans to switch side wall cheeks on the balconies from timber to render, again for fire safety reasons.

Center Parcs has requested changes to plans that have been approved by Wiltshire Council
Center Parcs has requested changes to plans that have been approved by Wiltshire Council

Center Parcs has said it intends to change the band material above the windows from aluminium panels to timber, to match the timber proposed for the gable walls as well.

The company also wants to adjust the levels of the site road and car park to better fit the existing contours of the surrounding land.

It is understood that a decision is expected by December 9.

In the first quarter of the current financial year, Center Parcs reported a rise in revenue to £146.8m - up from £135.6m a year earlier - driven by growth across its accommodation.

For the 12 weeks ending July 17, the group achieved EBITDA - a measure of performance - of £60.5m, with occupancy of 98.5%.

The holiday resort firm said guest satisfaction scores remain at its highest ever level of 89% for the º£½ÇÊÓÆµ villages - in line with last year.

It also said it was on track for profit growth for the year, despite the rise in "cost headwinds" such as the National Living Wage and the change in the National Insurance threshold.